I guess I just thought plastic meant cheap and metal meant quality, so I thought I was missing something. Guess not. Thanks :)

I much, much prefer metal!

I agree with Candace and besides my machine dealer definitely told me NOT to use metal bobbins with new machines and would become a very expensive fix. The new machines are definitely not geared for metal bobbins but he old ones are.

i just use the type that comes with my machine. i have had both.

I remember being told at the LQS that metal bobbins are a good investment and are better for your machine. Then I bought quite a few of them at one time and it turned out they worked horribly in both of my Janome machines. Now I use Janome brand plastic bobbins only and I have zero problems. In fact, I went through my entire sewing room and threw out anything that didn't come straight from the dealer. I didn't need the headache.

I use the pre wound bobbins and ocassionally use my metal bobbins if I have to wind a color.

I have Janome machines and only use the plastic bobbins that came with those machines. Good way to mess up your machines is using the wrong kind of bobbin.